High simple sugar intake during gestation may contribute to an excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) as well as to develop other pregnancy complications such as GDM, preeclampsia and preterm birth.
High blood sugar can cause problems all over the body. It can damage blood vessels and nerves. It can harm the eyes, kidneys, and heart. In early pregnancy, high blood sugar can lead to birth defects in a growing baby.
Does Sugar Consumption Affect Developing Babies?
When you're pregnant, anything you eat is also consumed by your developing baby. There is some concern that eating a lot of sugar during pregnancy can have an effect on a child's cognition later in life. One study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found an association between mothers drinking certain sweetened beverages (including diet sodas) during pregnancy and reduced cognitive skills in children. While this study doesn't prove having a sugary treat here and there will severely and negatively impact your child's health, it suggests that it's important to think consciously about what you eat when you're pregnant.
Effects of Sugar on Pregnant Women
Consuming a lot of sugary or sweetened foods during pregnancy may also have an effect on your physical health. About 7 in every 100 pregnant women in the U.S. develop a condition known as gestational diabetes, as the National Institutes of Health notes. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and often goes away after delivery. However, it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on, as well as increase your child's risk. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, reducing the number of sweet foods you eat, including fruits, and limiting starchy foods can help you keep your blood sugar levels under control, .
Does sugar affect pregnancy?
